Sunday 11th April (Lini’s Journal)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Thu 22 Apr 2010 20:05
It felt strange sailing at night after so many day hops. The wind
was an easterly F4/5 on the starboard quarter as we left under genoa
until clear of wrecks and rocks, when we hoisted a reefed main;
already the wind had increased. It was certainly an eventful day.
Humph the Hydrovane was named after Humphrey Littleton and also as it
or its operators ‘Didn’t Have a Clue’. We were hardly able to use it
at all across the pond as it was steering us through such a huge
angle; today however it worked like a dream and far better than the
auto helm which seemed to have several senior moments while Si was
taking a nap. With the wind now on the beam if we were on course, I
several times had to quickly manually put us back on course to avoid a
gybe. Later the whole system developed problems for a while and
stopped following our plotted course. It then froze completely until
Simon did some of his usual magic and we were back in the age of
electronic charts again. All the while this was going on we were hit
big time by squalls with winds gusting a good force seven. St. Barts
which was well in sight twenty miles off had totally disappeared only
three miles away. With such poor visibility I prayed the chart plotter
wouldn’t die again and was thankful Si always has paper charts ready
as well. To add to the drama Farty the wind generator then decided to
take a dive and Si just caught it as a bracket came adrift and it was
heading for the sea. It looked very possible that Si was going over
too at one point and I made a mental note to practice man- overboard
drills! I grabbed rope while Si relocated the support in the bracket
and he tied it temporarily to the pushpit. I have yet to tell Si that
the fishing lines disappeared off the stern with a huge wave before I
even had a chance to unroll them. Perhaps I can replace them before he
notices! A dead calm followed before another squall completed our sail
which on the good side was devilishly fast with speeds topping
10knots.
We arrived in Gustavia about three hours before we estimated which
gave us plenty of time to motor round the various anchorages choosing
the best spot. Unfortunately all of the stern-to moorings inside the
harbour were taken. In deeper water around the tiny islands dotted off
the harbour entrance were a small cruise ship and numerous enormous
gin palaces. I guessed many of the very large sailboats anchored had
just taken part in the St. Barth Bucket Regatta where the minimum
length is 100 foot. It was still blowing a force 5/6 with quite a
swell as we wove our way through the smaller boats rolling around
nearer to shore. Although eight to ten meters deep I watched the hook
hit the sandy seabed and could still see several turtles that were
just returning to the bed from the surface. Luckily the boats around
us are all well spaced, so should we all swing in different direction
tonight in heavy winds it shouldn’t cause any problems.
We’d stowed the dinghy on the foredeck for this longer leg so it
took a little longer to get it launched and ready for Si to check us
in. While Si took Shovell ashore I rinsed lifelines, put lifejackets
to dry and cleared up items below that hadn’t been stowed securely
enough and had taken off in the bumpy seas. I then did a spot of
laundry with the jerry can of rain water Si had collected the other
day. With the super efficient computerised French check-in system, Si
was back very soon and totally shattered after our very early start
and eventful day we mulched down with early sundowners. Not that much
could be seen through the dark squall clouds that whipped across the
skies. The laundry certainly stood no hope of drying tonight. I was
glad I’d made a vegetable curry last night which just needed reheating
for dinner as very weary we were fast asleep soon after.